Normalization and stabilization of balloon surfaces for deflation

A method for deflating an inflated balloon device, comprising, in combination:

• advancing a deflation device to a balloon until a cap at a distal end of the deflation device contacts a surface of the balloon, the cap and the surface of the balloon defining a balloon interface chamber;
• applying a vacuum to the balloon interface chamber, whereby a portion of the surface of the balloon enclosing the balloon interface chamber is drawn into a convex shape;
• advancing a coring device from a lumen of the deflation device through a coring channel defined by a protrusion extending radially inward from walls of the cap, whereby a tip of the coring channel is deflected by the protrusion to be made orthogonal to the surface of the balloon at a site of penetration;
• penetrating the balloon with the coring device at a site of penetration;
• and
• aspirating fluid from within the balloon through the site of penetration.

A deflation device, comprising, in combination:

• an endoscope tube, having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen;
• a cap disposed at the distal end of the endoscope tube and having walls defining a balloon interface chamber at a distal end of the cap, the balloon interface chamber being in communication with the lumen;
• a coring device disposed within the lumen and configured to travel within the lumen such that a distal end of the coring device is extendable beyond the distal end of the cap;
• a vacuum chamber at the distal end of the cap;
• and
• a vacuum line fluidly connected to the vacuum chamber, wherein the vacuum chamber is configured to interface with a surface of a balloon and secure the cap thereto when vacuum pressure is applied.

A method for deflating an inflated balloon device, comprising, in combination:

• advancing a deflation device to a balloon until a cap of the deflation device contacts a surface of the balloon, whereby a balloon interface chamber and a vacuum chamber of the cap are enclosed partly by the surface of the balloon;
• providing vacuum to the vacuum chamber, whereby the cap is secured relative to balloon and a portion of the surface enclosing the balloon interface chamber is substantially flat and orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of a coring device within the deflation device;
• advancing the coring device, whereby the balloon is penetrated at a site of penetration;
• and
• aspirating fluid from within the balloon through the site of penetration.